Be a derby girl

Have you always wanted to don a helmet and fight your way through the competition? Join the action-packed world of girls on skates with the Balsam Mountain Roller Girls. The team will hold its annual recruitment and registration event next weekend and girls ages 11 and up, as well as women ages 18 and older, are invited.

If you haven’t roller-skated in years, not to worry. Prior skating experience is encouraged, but not required. Women’s practices are held twice a week and junior girls practice once a week, so there’s plenty of time to brush off your skates and learn the rules.

The team does, however, offer a warning:

“Roller derby has known to cause extreme confidence in both women and junior girls. It can cause dramatic weight loss and muscle growth. It has been known to turn introverted people into extraordinary extroverts and it has been known to turn snack munching, video playing, couch nesting zombies into radical, healthy, fun loving community contributors.”

If you need more convincing, parent Crystal Kern has some great things to say about her daughters’ involvement. “I have two girls on the team, ages 11 and 15.” explains Crystal Kern, “I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical in their interest at first… [But] I have watched my daughters become transformed. They have become stronger and more confident with each practice.”

Girls ages 11-17 are invited to learn about the game and see clips of the action on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. Women ages 18 and up can explore the game on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.

Both events are held at Smoky Mountain Sk8way, 19025 Great Smoky Mountain Expressway, Waynesville. The recruitment events are free, but skaters who join are required to pay $40 per month, which includes a free skating pass at Smoky Mountain Sk8way. There’s a one-time joining fee of $35 for junior girls and $45 for women. Info: www.balsammountainrollergirls.com or 246-9124.